An Evaluation of Innovative Programs Designed to Increase Persistence and Academic Performance of High Risk Students in Community Colleges. Final Report.

Roueche, John E.; Kirk, R. Wade

This study assesses the effectiveness of innovative programs for high risk students at four community junior colleges with somewhat different approaches to remedial education. Each program is described in terms of organizational structure, subject matter content, instructional strategies, counseling services, philosophy and objectives, grading practices, and student selection criteria. Effectiveness was assessed in terms of student persistence (number of semesters of full-time enrollment) and academic performance (grade point average) for both program and control group students. Both groups of students were stratified according to ACT scores, race-ethnic group, and academic year. General conclusions were: (1) high risk students in special programs tend to persist to a greater degree and achieve academically at a higher level than comparable high risk students in regular programs; (2) there is an indication that each year academic performance and persistence rates of high risk students in special programs are increasing; and (3) minority group students tend to persist and achieve academically to a greater degree than majority group students. (RN)